Head of Strategic Planning

About the role

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company founded in 1889, is a globally recognized financial institution known for its award-winning services and commitment to integrity. The role of Head of Strategic Planning is based in Chicago.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the firmwide strategic planning process, aligning with the Leadership Team and Board of Directors.
• Develop and manage KPIs, milestones, and dashboards to monitor progress and identify risks.
• Facilitate strategy workshops and executive discussions to drive clarity and alignment.
• Establish and maintain a robust execution framework to track strategic objectives.
• Support the CAO and CEO in preparing for Board meetings and strategy updates.
• Provide data-driven insights and external market perspectives to inform strategic decisions.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of analytical rigor and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in strategy, corporate planning, consulting, or related roles within a large financial services organization.
• Proven track record of leading enterprise-level strategic planning processes.
• Strong understanding of financial services, asset management, or banking industry dynamics.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and partner with senior executives and board-level stakeholders.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and structured thinking capabilities.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing Board-level materials.
• Comfortable operating in a highly matrixed organization and navigating ambiguity with composure and sound judgment.
• Tech-savvy with a strong orientation toward innovation, including leveraging digital tools to enhance strategic planning and execution.
• Strong leadership and team development experience.